Tim Benz stories, Page 26
Tim Benz: Steelers’ postseason funk recreating an all-too-familiar Super Bowl rooting interest
If you’re a Steelers fan trying to figure out who to root for in Sunday’s Super Bowl, I can’t blame you if you are having a tough time reaching a conclusion. On the one hand, you’ve got the dominating, three-peat-hungry Kansas City Chiefs with their perceived NFL “favorite child” status....
First Call: Matt Stafford’s wife on board with move if trade happens; Steelers legend presses need for QB improvement
If the Pittsburgh Steelers really have an interest in acquiring Matthew Stafford, it appears his wife is willing to move from Los Angeles if needed. A Steelers legend is encouraging the team to make a move at QB as soon as possible. We preview the Penguins weekend ahead, potentially without...
Football Footnotes: Gambling tips for Super Bowl LIX
This Friday’s “Football Footnotes” is our annual “Super Bowl Bets” edition as we get ready for Sunday’s Showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year was a rough one. On the plus side, I went 3 for 4 with bets on the Chiefs and their players....
First Call: Jameis Winston wants a job in Pittsburgh; Steelers legend rooting for a K.C. 3-peat
Thursday’s “First Call” has some Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame comments about the Kansas City quest for a Super Bowl three-peat. Jameis Winston is angling for a job in Pittsburgh. George Pickens is getting a reality check from an unlikely source. And if the Steelers do end up playing a...
U mad, bro?: Readers sound off on Kenny Pickett’s comments, George Pickens trade talk and the live Eagles mascotVideo
In certain ways, this week’s “U mad, bro?” is very conventional. It features some consternation about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback miscues, George Pickens, and the state of the Pirates. I mean, that’s “U mad, bro?” meat and potatoes right there. On the other hand, we have a hockey reference from 1993,...
Tim Benz: For the Penguins, ‘solid’ effort vs. Devils sums up adjusted eye-level of the team
It was the kind of loss just about any hockey player or coach could live with. Maybe even some of the fans. Especially if it had been late October and there were still 70 games to play. Now, though, Tuesday’s outing for the Pittsburgh Penguins became the kind of game...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger agrees with criticism of Steelers’ defense; Alex Ovechkin scores a buzzer-beater
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some quotes from Ben Roethlisberger that the current Pittsburgh Steelers defense won’t like. The NFL has a deal in place to officially use the phrase “three-peat” if the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Alexander Ovechkin scores a buzzer-beater goal. Marc-Andre Fleury hits another milestone....
Could backlash over alleged referee-favoritism toward the Chiefs benefit the Eagles in the Super Bowl?
The Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes get the benefit of so many officiating calls that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had to answer a question about the trend being intentional during his pre-Super Bowl press conference. “That’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously,” Goodell...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s Super Bowl quotes create interesting Steelers QB hypothetical
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett is at the Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback. During an interview with SteelersNow.com in New Orleans, Pickett had this to say about his experience with the Eagles so far. “Every place does it differently, but the ultimate goal is to be (at...
Jagged Penguins schedule may not be such a bad thing after all
The Pittsburgh Penguins are channeling The Beatles: “Hello, Goodbye.” After being away from Pittsburgh for 14 days and seven games, the Penguins have just gotten back to PPG Paints Arena for a pair of contests against the Nashville Predators on Saturday (a 3-0 win) and Tuesday night’s game against the...
First Call: Potential AFC destinations for Myles Garrett; reinvestigating the idea of Cooper Kupp to the Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” reinvestigates the idea of Cooper Kupp coming to Pittsburgh. We have some possible trade destinations for Myles Garrett. A veteran Steeler has high praise for a rookie offensive lineman. And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell really likes flag football. Perhaps … toooooo much? Out of sight, out of...
Tim Benz: Luka Doncic trade should open eyes of Steelers management regarding George Pickens
It’s not often an NBA headline makes waves in Pittsburgh, but the trade of superstar Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package headlined by 31-year-old All-Star Anthony Davis was that far-reaching. The Mavs will also receive third-year wing Max Christie and the Lakers’...
First Call: Russell Wilson, Minkah Fitzpatrick provide Pro Bowl highlights; former Penguins yield solid trade return
Monday’s “First Call” has Pro Bowl highlights from a pair of current Steelers, while another comments on the departure of his position coach. Some former Penguins fetched an eye-catching return in a trade between two NHL Western Conference franchises. And it was a case of some good and some bad...
Madden Monday: Should the Penguins trade Rickard Rakell next?
Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have traded Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor to Vancouver, the biggest question is: Are they done? Might general manager Kyle Dubas trade Rickard Rakell while he is hot? That would make sense, given the value he could get in return. Rakell has 45 points. He...
Tim Benz: Rooting against a Chiefs 3-peat? Consider the alternatives — past, present and future
Here’s something I’ve heard more than once in Pittsburgh since the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles was set. ”I’d like to see a three-peat someday, just not these Chiefs.” That’s a sentiment I share. Unfortunately, I also share the other half of that thought....
First Call: A college job for Kevin Colbert; ESPN update on Russell Wilson’s future with Steelers
Friday’s “First Call” shows us that former Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is pulling a Rodney Dangerfield and going back to school. Adam Schefter updates us on the Steelers’ plans with Russell Wilson. We look at the Penguins’ next opponent. And we preview the weekend’s local college hoops and...
Tim Benz: Let’s take the Pirates’ fan satisfaction survey together — I’m sure it’ll go well
The Pittsburgh Pirates have distributed a survey to fans in hopes of evaluating their level of satisfaction with the franchise. These are the real questions with the actual multiple-choice options for responses. Let’s take the survey together, shall we? 1. Overall, what is your impression of the Pittsburgh Pirates? A)...
Football Footnotes: Some important things that Art Rooney II didn’t say about the 2025 Steelers
When Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II speaks, he’s not particularly demonstrative. He chooses his words carefully. He avoids speaking in absolutes. He just doesn’t say very much at all. Period. So, when you are looking for news nuggets, it’s what Rooney avoids talking about that makes for the most...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby’s heroics prevent another Penguins plunge to rock bottom — for now
Sorry, Penguins. This day was always going to come. Eventually, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season was going to have to end, and we were going to have to realize exactly how badly your season was going. Thanks for making it as glaringly obvious as possible at just the right time for...
U mad, bro?: Angry Steelers fans filling up more than just Art Rooney II’s inbox
During a press gathering on Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II responded to a question about hearing from angry fans by saying, “My inbox has been pretty full.” Mine too, Art. Mine too. Let’s compare notes in this week’s “U mad, bro?” This reader, @Fansville412, shared some thoughts about...
First Call: Pete Carroll on idea of Russell Wilson in Vegas; ex-Pats WR unloads on predictable Steelers’ defense
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at some quotes from Pete Carroll about the notion of reuniting with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in Las Vegas. Also, Ben Roethlisberger has thoughts on the rookie season of Washington’s Jayden Daniels and the size of the Steelers coaching staff. Plus, a former Steelers rival...
Tim Benz: When Art Rooney II says ‘actions speak louder than words,’ he better consider his brother Jim’s words
A noteworthy statement that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II made in his annual year-end meeting with the media was a quick retort to a question about recent comments made by his brother. Last week, Jim Rooney was on a podcast with former NFL player Ross Tucker. Jim is promoting...
First Call: Pete Carroll on idea of Russell Wilson in Vegas; ex-Pats WR unloads on predictable Steelers’ defense
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at some quotes from Pete Carroll about the notion of reuniting with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in Las Vegas. Also, Ben Roethlisberger has thoughts on the rookie season of Washington’s Jayden Daniels and the size of the Steelers coaching staff. Plus, a former Steelers rival...
Tim Benz: Forget Mike Tomlin ‘living in his fears,’ it’s Art Rooney II we should be talking about
One of Mike Tomlin’s favorite catchphrases is, “We don’t live in our fears.” The Pittsburgh Steelers coach says it all the time when he feels like using some old-fashioned football coach machismo to justify a roll of the dice on a fourth down play call, a long field goal attempt,...
First Call: Art Rooney II comments on Bears’ interest in Mike Tomlin, updates status of Steelers coordinators
Tuesday’s “First Call” has Art Rooney II’s version of events regarding the Chicago Bears’ inquiry about Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s availability. We also have a late Pro Bowl invitation for a Steelers offensive lineman and an update on the status of both coordinators. Plus, Robert Morris tries to play...
